Supreme Court Decision on Microsoft-Activision Merger Sends Shockwaves

The Supreme Court has rejected a last-minute attempt to block Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, clearing the way for the deal to proceed. The request for an emergency injunction was filed by a group of gamers who argued that the merger would result in consumer harms. The decision by the Supreme Court follows the denial of a similar request by the Federal Trade Commission and a federal district court judge. Microsoft's commitment to keeping Activision's "Call of Duty" on PlayStation platforms for 10 years was cited as a factor in the court's ruling. The deal has also faced opposition in the U.K., where the Competition and Markets Authority issued a decision to block the merger. Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are still seeking final regulatory approval in the U.K.